Planning and controls

Success comes from comprehensive plans plus keeping track (controlling) to deliver the outcomes needed

Focus planning on what is most important

Regardless of the approach taken to deliver, and whether or not the finished state can even be defined, all projects must start with a clear set of objectives and outcomes that need to be delivered.

Sometimes this is as simple as “we need this new capability by a certain date”. Other times it is more complex, such as “we need to improve our engagement online with customers”.

Project management has traditionally worked with the classic constraints – that is projects have a number of variables, and some of them end up being fixed. For example, with a project relating to the Olympic Games, time would be fixed. For a project relating to compliance, scope would be fixed. With a project for a not-for-profit business with limited resources, cost would be fixed.

There is an assumption that quality is a given, but often this is not the case.  Unfortunately in the real world ‘something has to give’ when there are problems, so project managers need to be aware of that.

The approach may change but planning is always needed

The need

Regardless of Agile or Waterfall delivery, there is always a need for planning. Planning may result in a whiteboard, sticky notes, MS Project schedule, or a series of graphs and diagrams. Planning fundamentally involves thinking and communication. In the Waterfall or traditional project world, this would be focused on developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), responsibilities for work packages, dependency mapping, and scheduling/resource planning.

Our expertise

Core Consulting Group (CCG) is an expert in this respect with years of planning/scheduling capability, either directly to a project/program or sometimes in a PMO support or PMO Analyst role. We recognise there is a big difference between planning and scheduling – one being the art, and one the science. While schedulers have a tool focus, planners have a people focus. Planners help people articulate plans that live in their imagination. Very experienced planners often adopt the title “Master Scheduler” by customers despite the difference we see.

The Agile approach

With Agile projects, planning is still needed but the approach is somewhat different with Program Increment Planning (PI Planning) and sprint planning focused on timebox increments and mapping of value (priority). The art of planning comes from working with product owners and development teams to optimise delivery efficiency and capability delivery.

Keeping track helps you predict the future

Regardless of approach, there is always a need for controls (keeping track). These include logging of issues and risks, changes (especially when contracts are involved), ideas, defects, and all the normal aspects of keeping track on projects.

Where a Waterfall approach is taken, there will be a strong focus on schedule tracking (updating and critical path analysis). Where an Agile approach is taken, there will be a focus on scope tracking through the backlog Kanban, particularly functions and stories with mapping to iterations and tracking of burn down of man hours.

Building client capability

The work we do for clients varies, from hands-on support for a particular project, training and supporting staff, establishing standards and tools, advising strategies for improvement, or just being on hand when needed.

Case studies

ERP Program Support – Fast moving consumer goods

Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s larger food businesses with some of Australia’s most well known brands.  Their foods included dry, packaged and fresh meats.  The client had initiated a program to implement JD Edwards EnterpriseOne as its replacement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

Program Planner Scheduler – Telecommunications

Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s medium sized Telecommunications providers.  Our client was a national telecommunications carrier which specialised in high performance, premium data services for the corporate, government and carrier markets.

Program Administration – Telecommunications

Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s largest Telecommunications providers.  Our client offered a range of services as well as providing core network infrastructure.

Master Scheduler – Energy company

Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s larger energy providers.  Our client was a fully integrated energy and network business, with complementary activities in telecommunications and energy-related technologies.

Portfolio planning using MS Project – Local council

Core Consulting Group (CCG) were engaged by one of Melbourne’s largest local councils.  Their Capital Works Program included the ongoing refurbishment, replacement and upgrade of Council’s physical assets (infrastructure and facilities) and construction of new assets to meet the community’s current and future service needs.

Master Scheduler – Telecommunications

Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s largest Telecommunications providers.  Our client offered a range of services as well as providing core network infrastructure.

PMO for an Agile program – Telecommunications

Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services …

Controls for an Agile Program – Service provider to the State Government

CCG was engaged to assist with the integration of new ways of working with traditional planning and reporting.

Further reading

White papers

Articles

You know we have been successful in building your capability when we are no longer needed.

For help building your capability contact Core Consulting Group for trusted, practical advice and assistance.

Contact us